Apple Watch Boot Loop/Red Exclamation Mark
Hello, I'll try to make this as detailed as possible so I won't get generic answers (and I'm hoping I won't get a "send it for repair" also, that's the last straw).
My girlfriend's Apple Watch Series 3 was not used for a few days.
When she charged it we noticed a boot loop (Apple logo on and off). So we just kept it on the charger for a few minutes thinking "maybe it just needs more juice". But the boot loop didn't stop.
Of course, I searched the internet. I tried resetting the watch (holding crown + side button) countless times.
When it's off the charger, nothing is happening. Just boot loop.
When it's ON the charger and I try to reset it. The red exclamation appears.
We tried the recovery/restore process numerous times also.
The first time we did this, it was late in the night so I just kept it charging and didn't watch the process.
When I woke up I immediately checked the watch and saw the snake (the charging cable icon), turning red when it's off the charger, turning green when it's on the charger.
I followed the instructions on the support article about that, to charge it for at least 30 minutes. Nothing happens. I do the reset after that, but nothing happens. The watch just turns hot.
I triggered the red exclamation mark again by resetting the watch while it was on the charger to start the recovery/restore process again. I did this several times yesterday.
It doesn't finish the restore. It just goes back to the beginning of the progress wheel. And sometimes go back to the screen with the Apple Watch and iPhone together.
I watched some YouTube videos saying that one way to try and fix related issues is to completely drain the battery (which is what I'm doing now).
Currently, it's on low power mode with a red lightning bolt (since it's not connected to a charger because I'm draining the juice).
What else can I do?
Here's what I've tried:
- Hard reset (crown + side button)
- Unpairing it from the phone (since the watch won't turn on)
- Following the article from If your Apple Watch shows an iPhone and a watch or a red “!” - Apple Support (PH)
- Following the article from If your Apple Watch won't charge or it won't turn on - Apple Support (PH)
- Chatting with Apple Support (concluded that I had to send it for repair)
But I'm still hoping that draining the battery and recharging it from complete 0 might work. Repair and service centers are hours away from here so it's not a convenient choice and we're busy people.
Thanks for the answers.
